2021
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Sat06Feb2021
Michel and Barb House Concert Guest Appearance
8 pmSinger- songwriter House Concert Hour
Online Zoom
To get on the announcement list: https://forms.gle/
S6j7het7j3FFdPVF6 
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Tue09Feb2021
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Thu11Feb2021
Toronto, a love story in words and music
7:30 pmToronto, a love story in words and music, takes place on Thursday, February 11 at 7:30pm, EST, and will be hosted by Toronto cabaret performer and historian, Bruce Bell.
This 90-minute online presentation will feature members of the Backseat Balladeers telling tales and sharing songs about ‘Toronto the Good‘ (and not-so-good), and original comic ditties written by Canadian musical-theatre legend, Jim Betts.
Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can with a suggested price of $10.
This is an online presentation and will take place on Zoom.
The Backseat Balladeers is a casual group that sings ballads and songs and tells stories together for the sheer joy of spreading lyrics and music for generations to come. It formed in 2007 as a result of Storytelling Toronto’s Ballad 101 and 201 courses led by the esteemed Lorne Brown, teller of old tales and singer of old songs. They performed their debut at Nuit Blanche with Storytelling Toronto in 2009 at Artscape Wychwood Barns and at the 2011 Toronto Festival at Harbourfront Centre, several fundraising events in the city, and most recently at CSI Centre for Social Innovation with their show Naughty by Nature.
Membership has changed over the years however original members, Karen Blair, Donna Dudinsky, Meryl Arbing, Kim Michele, Pat Bisset, and Heather Whaley are this evening’s voices taking the stage to share stories and ballads and songs. Whether tragic, historical, romantic or comic, all evoke powerful emotions and have significance in our lives. As with many ballads and folk songs, audience participation is encouraged!
Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/toronto-a-love-story-in-words-and-music-tickets-135762020859
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Fri19Feb2021
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Fri12Mar2021
Durham Storytellers World Storytelling Day - New Beginnings
2 pmStorytelling to seniors at Traditions of Durham Retirement Villa with Durham Storytellers through zoom (Private event)
Theme NEW BEGINNINGS
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Mon10May2021
Toronto Storytelling Festival ONLINE Mermaid of the Magdalenes
7 pmTORONTO STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
https://storytellingtoronto.org/ for festival details and links to ONLINE performance
The Mermaid of the Magdalenes" a Canadian Wonder Tale live online Birds Aloft and Seas Below concert on
Monday May 10, 7-9pm. Hosted by Sage Turtle.
https://torontostorytellingfestival.ca/2021/events/birds-aloft-and-sea-below/
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Sun23May2021
Michel and Barb House Concert Guest Appearance
8 pmOnline!
THE ZOOM LINKAll this info to get on the guest list is at https://jacquesrusselltrio.com/house-concerts Different from my usual narrative storytelling, I will be singing three original songs, and telling their backstories.
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Fri11Jun2021
Ajax Seniors - In the Merry Month of June
Durham Storytellers feature teller
Private Seniors between Walls
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Fri02Jul2021
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Fri30Jul2021
Ajax Seniors - August Moon and Stars
Private Durham Storytellers feature teller
Seniors between Walls
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Fri01Oct2021
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Mon22Nov2021
Ottawa Storytelling Festival Ages 2 -4 Online!
11:30 amRhythm and Rhyme Time - Falling Apples
Program: Ottawa Storytelling Festival Ages 2 -4
Online!https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/kid-zone/storytelling-festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b_LwJ6kGuI
une vidéo en français https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meMM7H98Jmw
Follow Ottawa StoryTellers on social media:
- Like the Ottawa StoryTellers page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ottawastory
- Follow @ottawastory on Twitter
- Follow ottawa_storytellers on Instagram
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Sat27Nov2021
Ottawa Storytelling Festival Ages 2 -4 Online!
1:30 pmRhythm and Rhyme Time - A Move to the Farm
Program: Ottawa Storytelling Festival Ages 2 -4
Online!https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/kid-zone/storytelling-festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b_LwJ6kGuI
une vidéo en français https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meMM7H98Jmw
Follow Ottawa StoryTellers on social media:
- Like the Ottawa StoryTellers page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ottawastory
- Follow @ottawastory on Twitter
- Follow ottawa_storytellers on Instagram
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Tue30Nov2021
In Conversation With Rita Cox
7 pmIn Conversation with Rita Cox and Friends: Celebrating the Album Launch of Wit and Wisdom
November 30th, 7pm Eastern Time (more time zones here)Register on Eventbrite
This is a free event- all are welcome!
On November 30th, join us for a fascinating online panel discussion to officially launch the highly anticipated CD, Wit and Wisdom: Anansi Tales and Other Stories. We'll explore and celebrate this new album by iconic storyteller, author, teacher and librarian, Dr. Rita Cox. Learn more about the album here.
In Conversation with Rita Cox is a panel-style talk with Rita and some of her distinguished colleagues who are experts in storytelling, library sciences, literacy advocacy and education. Over the course of this 90-minute talk, Rita and her guests will examine the role of oral tradition and the art of storytelling, and why albums like Wit and Wisdom are so important. With questions from the audience encouraged, this event promises to be a thought-provoking discussion led by master storyteller, Dr Rita Cox.
Joining Rita will be Itah Sadu, Jean Augustine, Dan Yashinsky, Debra Baptiste, Kesha Christie and Jeffrey Canton. Read the presenter bios on the Eventbrite page.
This event will be hosted on Zoom as a webinar. The link will be in your confirmation email. Questions? Email [email protected]Hosts Marion Gruner, Selina Eisenberg and Heather Whaley. StorySave Committee members.
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Sat11Dec2021
Murder, They Sang!
7 pmStorytellers of Canada – Conteurs du Canada is proud to present
Murder, They Sang! Dark ballads and tales told in the winter parlour…
Saturday December 11th | 7pm Eastern Time (find your Time Zone here)This concert will be hosted on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in your confirmation email after registering on Eventbrite.
Tickets are by donation; any amount is appreciated!In this celebration of the traditional to the contemporary, with a nod to popular culture, we will be
honouring murder ballads that have been packaged in the cozy trappings of the holiday for centuries. These ballads, illuminating shocking events, have travelled, evolved, and, in some instances,
been created in more contemporary eras to memorialize both the miscreants and their victims.
Hosted by renowned storyteller and author of Stories from Songs, Gail de Vos, with vocalists and musicians Kim Michele, Heather Whaley, and a special debut appearance by Sarah Abusarar.
Accompanying musicians Cassie Norton on violin and Peter de Vos on banjo. Artistic direction from Heather Whaley.
This concert will be hosted on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in your confirmation email after registering on Eventbrite.
This concert is in English only – cet spectacle est en Anglais seulement
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Sat11Dec2021
Wintertime is Here!
11:30 amWintertime is Here!
Join energetic storyteller, singer-songwriter Heather Whaley for a fun-filled seasonal gathering celebrating wintertime from around the world. With her light-hearted delivery, Heather brings many delightful traditional and original tales, finger rhymes, poems, chants & tunes that are enjoyed by families at concerts, schools, libraries, festivals, and several events across Ontario. ONLINE
Milton Public Library | 1010 Main Street East | Milton, ON | L9T 6H7
905-875-2665 ext. 3286 | www.beinspired.ca
All rights reserved. Contact copyright holder for permissions.
For our summer program, we had two workshops (three hours each) with Heather for the children aged from 1½ to 12 years old. The children were fascinated with the variety of musical instruments. Heather’s presentation was excellent and well planned. Everything from music to storytelling was interactive, age-appropriate, and fun. I was very impressed with Heather’s sensitive and caring ways when dealing with children in different age groups. Great storytelling & song singing!
Thanks to your unique and entertaining storytelling and singing, Pickering Nuclear’s first ever Tuesdays on the Trail was a huge success! The event was found to be both educational and artistic. It was super! Great fun!
I had the pleasure of capturing Heather in action with a group of (grade 7&8) students, both on video and in stills. Heather’s joie-de-vivre and energy were truly enchanting – I found my camera pointed at the students to catch the joy and wonder in their expressions. Heather possesses the delightful ability to entertain, to educate and to connect to draw everyone around her into her stories – stories from her heart that are genuine and that are real. Heather will enlighten and delight children of all ages with her vibrant and active storytelling.
Heather is a well-respected storyteller and storytelling animator. My own recent experience with her was in a collaboration for the 2010 Nuit Blanche, where I hired her, through Storytelling Toronto, to be part of an ensemble of storytellers doing an experimental show titled “your story begins at the Barns.” She was a creative, professional artist to work with, and brings much dedication and passion to her work.
Heather’s storytelling abilities bring positive entertainment to children while instilling important values. Heather willingly catered her stories to accommodate our group’s religious needs and her sing-a-long songs, instruments and props were greatly enjoyed by our campers.
Heather was a delight to have Heather at the Library over March Break. We had approximately 120 people in attendance. The stories and songs she shared with the children were both engaging and fun, and it was a pleasure to watch the children being drawn into new lands and characters. We would certainly have Heather back to the Library again.
Treat yourselves to an unforgettable storytelling experience. In the tradition of the best, Heather magically weaves her stories so that audiences are transported in time and space. Her music and lyrics are a delight. Heather is a real treat!
Heather has not only sought to constantly improve her own performance as a storyteller and musician, she has also worked to provide workshops and events for her colleagues. Each performance has been carefully planned to suit the needs of an audience but as a consummate performer she also has the flexibility to deal with the unexpected and unknown.
Excellent – well prepared, captivated kids… I would highly recommend Heather and hope we’ll have her again!
In May, 2011, I was Heather´s interpreter at the International Storytelling Fest in Buenos Aires, where she conducted two workshops for over 50 people each. Her workshop was very well organized, there was relevant information and lots of practice, music and props and the activities were varied, and dynamic. People were eager to participate, and enjoyed the workshop very much. Heather also conducted a workshop for teachers of English in Mercedes (Buenos Aires). In this workshop, she introduced teachers to the art of storytelling and provided them with lots of follow up activites and songs to be used in the classroom. Teachers were thrilled and more than satisfied with this very useful workshop. Heather was very generous in giving teachers the tools to enhance their own school programs, and helping them gain confidence.
Heather is a thoughtful, responsible and well organized workshopist, she is open to participant’s comments and questions and is very sensitive to their needs
I was impressed with Heather’s storytelling abilities. She adds music to her stories which definitely captivates her audience. I saw her presentation at a librarian’s meeting and I thought it was wonderful.
Thanks a ton for coming to our school, you were great as USUAL!! Everyone was a Buzz over the concerts and my class made some wonderful drawings of your story and songs…I can’t believe how many they could remember!!
What a sweet cd! I love what you do with ‘The Strange Visitor!” The dance motif is a perfect fit! You must have so much fun working with your audience!
Presentation had great variety of materials to enhance the ‘imagery’ of the program… (the junior and intermediate audience was) very attentive and keen to attend.
Our school initiative in the last two years has focussed on promoting reading and writing for our students. We were fortunate and thankful for Heather Whaley’s performances which were created for the different grades and age levels starting from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
“Mrs. Whaley provided a wonderful, participatory program blending music, laughter, rhythm and the art of storytelling to celebrate the gift of literacy. She provided an energetic performance geared to our school’s focus.
“It was wonderful to watch students and staff enjoy her interactive performance and the motivational level that was displayed in their follow up work in the classroom. We asked Mrs. Whaley to perform and work with our school community for the last two years.
You have such warmth and personality, and the ability to bring together a whole room full of people (adults) in a very comfortable way. Your young (Argentine) friend (Silvia De Cesare) mentioned that you inspired her to become a storyteller. I can see why.
You really know how to engage the kids! Thanks very much again for coming out to our programs. In terms of their literacy, a visit from a storyteller was a benefit for the children who do not speak English as their first language and English is not spoken at home. The more they can hear the language and make connections to things, the better. Ideally this will lead them into reading more books and stories on their own, thus building their literacy skills. It looked like everyone was enjoying your songs and stories. It was a great treat for the kids and adults.